Sexual Harassment & Gender-Based Discrimination

Utah is known for its strong business climate and commitment to ethical behavior, yet sexual harassment and gender‑based discrimination remain persistent issues that undermine women’s safety, confidence, and economic security. Research shows that sex‑based discrimination charges making up 38.3% of all EEOC complaints in Utah (above the national average of 30.4%). Sexual harassment behaviors such as unwanted touching, jokes and slurs, and unwelcome questions contribute to a feeling of fear and trepidation. These behaviors disproportionately harm women, especially in industries where they are underrepresented, and contributes to anxiety, lost wages, stalled careers, and organizational turnover. This is amplified when women experience unfair treatment, shame, marginalization, and blatant disregard due to their gender. Reducing sexual and gender‑based harassment is essential not only for women’s well‑being but also for strengthening Utah’s workplaces, families, and communities.

A Bolder Way Forward’s Sexual Harassment & Gender-Based Discrimination Spoke is working with The Wolf and The Bee other partner organizations to ensure all women in Utah are able to participate in a society as equal contributors with self-respect and security, free from sexual harassment and other types of gender-based discrimination. Learn more about how Utahns can decrease sexual harassment and other types of gender-based discrimination by visiting the resources below. Individuals, organizations, and communities can also take specific actions to help. To get engaged, contact Sandy Lisonbee (The Wolf and The Bee).

Key Resources

Informational Video

Resource Kit

Research Snapshot

What Utahns Need to Know

Spoke Podcast

Bold Goals

Through collective impact and systems thinking, Utah can improve things by working towards the following goals:

Increase research to deepen understanding about sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in Utah. [Metric Dashboard]
Pass public policies addressing sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in Utah. [Metric Dashboard]
Increase opportunities and resources for Utah employers to learn how to address and prevent sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace. [Metric Forthcoming]
Compile and share research-based resources to help Utahns respond to and prevent sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. [Metric Forthcoming]
Shift Utahns’ agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas [Metric Dashboard]:
1. 1. Sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination are problems in the state of Utah. (Increase agreement)
  2. People make a bigger deal out of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination than is warranted. (Decrease agreement)
  3. I know what steps to take or what resources are available if me or a friend experienced sexual harassment. (Increase agreement)
  4. I trust that most organizations in Utah would appropriately handle a sexual harassment report. (Increase agreement)

Spoke Advisors

Amy Morgan (Attorney/Board Member, UCLI)
Brittany Davies (CPO, Fullcast)
Nancy Sylvester (Counsel, Ogletree Deakins)
Helen Knaggs (Head of Global R&D, NuSkin)
Sandy Lisonbee (Co-Founder, The Wolf and The Bee)

What You Can Do

Educate yourself and other about sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination, including effective response techniques.

Say something when you see or experience any form of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.

Identify and share policies and practices that can be implemented to help your organization create a culture where all employees can thrive.

Community Partners

The Wolf and The Bee is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and tools to navigate and resolve workplace harassment and discrimination.They educate organizations to strengthen policies and culture to prevent harassment in the workplace.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion strengthens access to legal support by building partnerships that bring attorneys closer to those who face barriers to legal resources. They bridge legal gaps to address issues that often include gender‑based inequities.

The Society for Human Resource Management creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. The Utah SHRM State Council supports and serves 5 chapters in the state to elevate the Human Resource profession in Utah.